Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
A SENSE OF LEADERSHIP
3 Black state lawmakers share what being in key positions means to them
Pennsylvania’s government is the most diverse it has even been.
Following the 2022 election, the Legislature has its largest number of Black, Latino and South Asian members in its history. And for the first time, a Black man was elected lieutenant governor and a Black woman is the majority leader in the House.
But despite that progress — the latest steps in a long line of victories for inclusion — Harrisburg still does not accurately reflect the diversity of the state’s population. More work needs to be done.
That was the key message during a virtual town hall Wednesday about how public officials who represent districts with constituents primarily of color are making a difference in their communities. The event was hosted by state Rep. Manny Guzman, a Reading Democrat.
Guzman led a conversation with a panel of state lawmakers who each shared their experiences of being Black in America and what being in a position of leadership means to them. Taking part in the discussion were Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, House Majority Leader Joanna McClinton and Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Donna Bullock.
Davis was sworn in last month as Pennsylvania’s first Black lieutenant governor, a point that was made clear by his surroundings. He took part in the virtual session from his office, sitting in front of a wall adorned with photos of his predecessors — all of them white.
“It’s really a humbling experience to have this opportunity and awesome responsibility,” he said. “But I’m mindful each and every day that I serve in this office that it’s not an opportunity that I paid for. It was paid for by the blood, sweat and tears of the generations that came before me. I stand on the shoulders of giants.”
That includes people like K. Leroy Irvis, who became the first Black speaker of the Pennsylvania House in 1977, and Robert Nix Jr., who was the first Black chief justice on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 1984.
“All of them broke down barriers so that one day someone like me could exist,” he said, adding that it is incumbent on him to ensure that while he may be the first Black lieutenant governor he is not the last.
Davis said he will use his position to continue his advocacy for marginalized communities throughout the commonwealth.
Davis said Black History Month is about more than reflecting on how far Black Americans have come, it’s a time to celebrate the history that is continually being made each day in our communities. It’s about honoring the Black teachers who are working to improve the lives of young people and the Black police officers who are protecting and serving their neighbors.
Rep. Joanna McClinton
McClinton, who represents part of Delaware and Philadelphia counties, is the first Black woman to ever hold a party leadership position in Harrisburg.
“Being the first is a lot of pressure,” she said. “There are great expectations placed on you, but what I realized is that nothing happens individually. When we are able to sit down with our constituents and colleagues to build collaborations, we make it possible for there to be the second, the third, the fourth and the fifth.”
McClinton said the conversations and discussions she has with those groups focus on how to improve the lives of all Pennsylvanians, paying particular attention to how specific legislative proposals will impact minority communities.
“We are not solving these problems on our own, this is a team project,” she said.
McClinton said now that the
Democrats hold a slight majority in the House she is looking forward to putting in place policies to help minority communities. That has been something they have been unable to do under Republican leadership.
“We have a lot of different ways that we can be safeguards and advocates for our communities,” she said. “Because, to me, it doesn’t mean anything to me to be the first to hold this space unless I can get something done.”
And McClinton said there is a lot of work to do.
She noted that while there have been great improvements regarding individual acts of racial discrimination over time, she said systemic racism is still an issue that must be challenged and changed.
Rep. Donna Bullock
Bullock, who represents part of Philadelphia County, said there are now more Black, Latino and South Asian lawmakers than ever. The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus — which has grown to include lawmakers who are Latino and South Asian
— has more members than ever before at 37 strong.
Bullock said the caucus is very intentional in reaching out to minority communities. She said they hold policy hearings and listening sessions in those districts in an effort to engage with constituents to ensure their voices are heard.
“We understand that together we can really move policy that advances Pennsylvanians of color,” she said.
She said Black History Month is a special time to honor the legacy of those who paved the way forward for those like her who see community service as a way to make long lasting change — like Harry Bass, who was the first Black person to serve in the Pennsylvania House in 1911, and Crystal Bird Fauset, who became the first Black woman to serve as a state representative in the United States when she was elected to the Pennsylvania House in 1938.